Magnolia este o calatorie pornita in epoca disco si continuata pana in prezent, prin numeroase genuri muzicale, ritmuri si acorduri, avand ca urmatoare “statie” boxele si sufletul ascultatorilor.
Magnolia este de fapt Raluca Leahu, cunoscuta atat ca DJ si prezentator radio-TV, cat si datorita proiectelor sale muzicale din trecut.
Magnolia este un nou inceput, un nou stil, o evolutie, rezultatul experientelor acumulate de Raluca alaturi de trupe precum Nitro si Zebre, sau in urma unor colaborari cu nume precum Directia 5, RACLA sau Neurotica. Toate aceste cautari au condus-o in mod firesc catre acest proiect, in cadrul caruia s-a regasit si s-a reinventat. Desi la o prima ascultare ar putea fi usor de catalogat, pentru Raluca stilul Magnolia nu se limiteaza la etichete sau incadrari in genuri muzicale. Stilul retro predomina, dar muzica disco este doar un teren de joaca pentru influentele electro, pop, soul si chiar rock, rezultatul fiind un sound fresh, reconfortant si imbietor. Magnolia manipuleaza sunetele si penduleaza intre stiluri, intre dinamism si imobilitate, reusind sa transmita emotii surprinzatoare prin vocea fluida si calda a Ralucai. “Influenta in muzica este o chestie involuntara, nu ai cum s-o eviti. Sa incerci totusi sa te feresti de ea este o prostie pentru ca doar ea te ajuta sa-ti formezi propriul stil, care va fi original nu pentru ca l-ai inventat tu, ci pentru ca este rezultatul unei combinatii unice pe care numai mintea si spiritul tau creativ au operat-o asa. Muzica preferata este ghidul incepatorului in muzica. Asa incep toti!” spune Raluca.
Obisnuita cu groove-ul de band, pe scena Raluca nu canta singura. In cadrul concertelor live Magnolia este intregita de Dan Leahu la chitara si synth, Radu Anghel la bass si Bogdan Morosanu la tobe.
In aceasta formula Magnolia a sustinut concerte in numeroase cluburi precum Fratelli, Elephant, The Ark, Farbica, Control sau Hard Rock Cafe (unde l-a avut ca invitat special pe colegul Ralucai de la Radio Zu, Mircea Badea), in deschiderea concertului I Blame COCO din Bucuresti precum si la concursul Global Battle of the Bands de la Arenele Romane unde s-a calificat pe locul trei aducand astfel o diversitate stilistica aparte unui concurs in care muzica rock era predominanta.
Biography
If you are into the musical vibes from the early ‘80s and the electroclash revival, it will be pretty hard not to like Magnolia. It manages to give an edgier feel to today’s music which definitely makes them a pleasant rarity in the “new pop” genre. The band is the brain and soul child of Romanian artist Raluca Leahu, known both as a radio DJ and TV presenter and the main voice behind several alternative musical projects from the early years of her career. Magnolia can be easily described as a musical journey that started in the disco era and on the way to the present days it went through various musical genres, rhythms and sounds…
Magnolia represents a new beginning, an evolution, the result of Raluca’s experiences accumulated as member of various alternative rock bands, and several collaborations with top Romanian artists, experiences that naturally led her to this project, where Raluca finally found her style and got reinvented as the voice of Magnolia.
At a first listening it might be easy to label Magnolia’s style, but things are not always what they seem to be. The match and mix of beats and rhythms that at first might sound misfit gets transformed into a glammy electro pop tune that will instantly invite you to the dance floor. The retro beat prevails, but the disco sound acts only as a playground for other different musical styles that come together into a melting pot – you can hear influences from electronic music, pop, soul and even rock music. All in one, Magnolia has a distinct sound that is both refreshing and inviting, accessible to any listener, but retaining that “je ne sais quoi” that makes it so special.
On stage Raluca is never alone, being supported by three accomplished musicians: Radu Anghel on bass, Bogdan Morosanu on drums and Dan Leahu on guitar and keyboards. Raluca’s versatile vocals exude a kind of intriguing, unique elegance, blending in with the instruments while the songs engage in an endless bloom, moving from moody atmospherics to swirling bursts of electronic glam.